Australia Lawmaker Arrested in Fraud Probe

SYDNEY—Australian police arrested lawmaker Craig Thomson on fraud charges, casting a shadow over Prime Minister Julia Gillard a day after she set the date for a general election.

"I will vigorously defend these charges, and, as I have said from the start, I have done no wrongdoing and that's what will be found in these matters," Mr. Thomson told reporters Thursday after being released on bail by a New South Wales court.